Stroker Cam And Heads Question
Thread Starter
Intermediate
Joined: Jun 2006
Posts: 31
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Stroker Cam And Heads Question
Hey Guys,
My Vette is getting a 383. I am not sure what cam to install in the motor. But before any of you answer this question, you will need to know some of the information about my Vette.
It has;
3.70 rear end gears
Automatic transmission ( I will install a high stall converter)
Transgo shift kit installed in said transmission
The heads are World Products S/R Tourquer heads good for valve lift up to .560, 170cc intake ports, 64cc combustion chambers, and 2.02 intake and 1.60 exhaust valves. These heads will be sent out to be ported.
I want a powerful street motor that can be driven on the street for fun and sometimes at the 1/4 mile. I have the block which is prepared, and have not purchased the rotating assembly yet. Plan to use the eagle kit with aluminum flat top pistons and a cast crank.
What do you guys think? Picking a cam is a very important part of engine building.
Before I plunk down the cash, it would be good to get some input from some vette guys. After all, you all know what I like!
Thanks guys. Also, when building the motor, I will post pictures.
John
My Vette is getting a 383. I am not sure what cam to install in the motor. But before any of you answer this question, you will need to know some of the information about my Vette.
It has;
3.70 rear end gears
Automatic transmission ( I will install a high stall converter)
Transgo shift kit installed in said transmission
The heads are World Products S/R Tourquer heads good for valve lift up to .560, 170cc intake ports, 64cc combustion chambers, and 2.02 intake and 1.60 exhaust valves. These heads will be sent out to be ported.
I want a powerful street motor that can be driven on the street for fun and sometimes at the 1/4 mile. I have the block which is prepared, and have not purchased the rotating assembly yet. Plan to use the eagle kit with aluminum flat top pistons and a cast crank.
What do you guys think? Picking a cam is a very important part of engine building.
Before I plunk down the cash, it would be good to get some input from some vette guys. After all, you all know what I like!
Thanks guys. Also, when building the motor, I will post pictures.
John
Last edited by 77327; Aug 2, 2007 at 09:36 PM. Reason: Forgot info
Race Director
Joined: Apr 2000
Posts: 17,676
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From: Who says "Nothing is impossible" ? I've been doing nothing for years.
Unfortunately I don't like the heads on a 383ci, SR stands for stock replacement, not very high performance heads so if you stick with those heads you might try 268 duration cam, comp cams has a couple 
Le Mans Master
Joined: Jun 2004
Posts: 6,231
Likes: 65
From: Seattle WA
St. Jude Donor '14
With 170cc ports you're a bit limited on choices. I agree that they're not the best heads for your application, but they're certainly workable if your FWHP target is around 400.
I'd probably stay with a flat-tappet hydraulic given the heads - otherwise, any overhaul should be a roller if you can afford it
Given the port size, I'd leave some lift on the table for driveability - CompCams XE274H? The heads max out flow at about .500 lift. I did a quick DesktopDyno Advanced run with this setup (using 10:1 CR) and found 380HP@5000 and 438TQ@3500. Going to the next cam up (XE284H) netted 384HP@5500 and 426TQ@4000 - clearly not worth it with these heads.
Should be an interesting discussion
FYI, I always recommend filling out the forms for CompCams, Crane, etc. and getting their recommendations directly. As you note - it's a key decision and ultimately one you have to make.
I'd probably stay with a flat-tappet hydraulic given the heads - otherwise, any overhaul should be a roller if you can afford it
Given the port size, I'd leave some lift on the table for driveability - CompCams XE274H? The heads max out flow at about .500 lift. I did a quick DesktopDyno Advanced run with this setup (using 10:1 CR) and found 380HP@5000 and 438TQ@3500. Going to the next cam up (XE284H) netted 384HP@5500 and 426TQ@4000 - clearly not worth it with these heads.Should be an interesting discussion
FYI, I always recommend filling out the forms for CompCams, Crane, etc. and getting their recommendations directly. As you note - it's a key decision and ultimately one you have to make.
Last edited by billla; Aug 2, 2007 at 11:30 PM.
Drifting
Joined: Nov 2004
Posts: 1,628
Likes: 293
2020 C3 of the Year Finalist - Modified
Hey man.....I finished up my 383 build around 8 months ago..... very pleased with it..........spec on it are in my signature...the cam has a nice little lope to it, it idles around 1200.....i'd consider pretty streetable
you can check out the videos in my signature also if you want to here the cam to get an idea where you stand as far as lift/sound/idle goes....one is when we first cranked it with rusted out exhaust and the other is during a little joy ride with brand new exhaust on it
you can check out the videos in my signature also if you want to here the cam to get an idea where you stand as far as lift/sound/idle goes....one is when we first cranked it with rusted out exhaust and the other is during a little joy ride with brand new exhaust on it
Race Director
Joined: Apr 2000
Posts: 17,676
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From: Who says "Nothing is impossible" ? I've been doing nothing for years.
Why does it idle at 1200 RPM ? My 550HP 406ci which is basically a race motor idles wherever I want it too down to 600RPM, I have it set around 800RPM currently
NCM Grand Opening Veteran
Joined: Sep 2005
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From: South of giving a damn
St. Jude Donor '11, '17
I agree with the XE274H cam, but with those heads I wouldn't build a 383. I'd build a 355. Cylinder volume will be more in line with the head flow, plus after looking at Summit, the 355 kit is cheaper than the 383 kit. You'll get the same HP with the 355 & you won't feel like you left a bunch of hp on the table. Which ever way you go get internally balanced & a factory balanced kit.
Burning Brakes
Joined: May 2004
Posts: 1,100
Likes: 3
From: belle plaine ks
I'll be running a 383 as well. I bought afr 195's for my project. I'm going back with the 400 and probably the 3.08 gears. The question I have is concerning the camshaft. Do you have to run the small base circle camshaft for clearance?
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Brett Foote
NCM Grand Opening Veteran
Joined: Sep 2005
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From: South of giving a damn
St. Jude Donor '11, '17
Not if you buy the stroker rods. I have a std base circle cam in my 396, but I have the Eagle H-beam forged stroker rods. If you are going cast then you might need the sm base circle. Check with your rotating kit builder. Some of the cast rods will clear.
Burning Brakes
Joined: May 2007
Posts: 945
Likes: 0
From: Ventura California
I agree with the XE274H cam, but with those heads I wouldn't build a 383. I'd build a 355. Cylinder volume will be more in line with the head flow, plus after looking at Summit, the 355 kit is cheaper than the 383 kit. You'll get the same HP with the 355 & you won't feel like you left a bunch of hp on the table. Which ever way you go get internally balanced & a factory balanced kit.
I'm running a 383 with Dart heads, 200 cc ports, 64 cc chambers. You need a better flowing head. The small port will really limit what the engine is truly capable of. My setup is very steetable and still breathes at higher rpms. Ditch those heads!
Burning Brakes
Joined: May 2007
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From: Ventura California
I didn't need to run a small base circle.
Le Mans Master
Joined: Jun 2004
Posts: 6,231
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From: Seattle WA
St. Jude Donor '14
Safest bet for the home builder is to get the full kit vs. cobbling something together. Might seem cheaper, but if you find anything at mock-up you have a problem.
Problem = $
Problem = $
Drifting
Joined: Aug 2005
Posts: 1,682
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From: League City TX
While I agree that your heads are not the best choice, if you already own them they can be made to work. About 15 years or so ago, a buddy of mine used a set of the SR Torquers on a 406 build. They were ported by another guy we knew that was purely an amatuer. The engine had right around 10 to 1 compression. It had a Lunati solid cam with 239/249 duration at .050". Lift was .517/.543 and it had 106 degree lobe seperation. The intake was a Victor Jr. and he had an 850 Holley on it. I dont remember the header size. On the dyno, the engine made 488 hp at around 5500 and 512 tq .I dont remember where the torque peak was. Im sure the heads cost him power, but it was still a healthy engine.
Last edited by DRIVESHAFT; Aug 3, 2007 at 11:50 AM.
Race Director
Joined: Apr 2000
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From: Who says "Nothing is impossible" ? I've been doing nothing for years.
Problem is the money spent on porting the heads, it's not really worth it unless you are getting it done for little money.
To get any good flow numbers out of them is going to cost near the price of a new set of Sportsman II or Brodix iron heads
To get any good flow numbers out of them is going to cost near the price of a new set of Sportsman II or Brodix iron heads
Race Director
Joined: Sep 2002
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From: San Diego - Deep Within The State of CONFUSION!
Me too
I used 6" rods.
Le Mans Master
Joined: Sep 2001
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From: Unreconstructed, South Carolina
As for John's cam:
Those heads won't support a whole lot of cam. However, flattops & iron 64cc 383 resulting compression would indicate a need for more cam in order to bleed off some compression. Looks like a mismatch seeking a place to roost.
Suggest a dished piston w/ iron 64cc 383 combo ... and a moderate cam.
Octane requirements are directly proportional to compression ratio ... pump gas ain't so great these days; I expect it to only get crappier.
I build dedicated circletrack motors for 110 race gas ... and a few street motors. ie ... currently assembling a vortec head (iron 64cc) 383 for a pal's dailydriver pu truck. About 9.2:1 scr & 197*/207* .460"/.480" cam ... hyper piston is SpeedPro H890CP w/ -23cc dish with felpro 1094 steel 0.015" shim head gasket. G'Luck!
Le Mans Master
Joined: Jun 2004
Posts: 6,231
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From: Seattle WA
St. Jude Donor '14
The stock Vortecs are lift-limited to .475 - are you using upgraded heads?
Le Mans Master
Joined: Jun 2004
Posts: 6,231
Likes: 65
From: Seattle WA
St. Jude Donor '14
The extra cubes aren't really buying anything with those heads. Always tough when you have good parts (and you do) but they don't quite match up to the intended use :/
Thread Starter
Intermediate
Joined: Jun 2006
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Judging by the responses, it appears that the intake port volume is crutial. So what do you guys think about these heads?
http://store.summitracing.com/partde...5&autoview=sku
This is a little overwhelming!!
Oh and BTW, if these heads will do, what cam will work with these? I imagine that a higher lift and more duration might work.
Thanks guys.
John
http://store.summitracing.com/partde...5&autoview=sku
This is a little overwhelming!!
Oh and BTW, if these heads will do, what cam will work with these? I imagine that a higher lift and more duration might work.
Thanks guys.
John
Last edited by 77327; Aug 3, 2007 at 07:16 PM. Reason: Forgot something